Blue Honor is a complete novel conceived from a simple term paper written during an independent study course at the University at Albany (www.albany.edu).
Here is a brief synopsis of the story:
Blue Honor, "A picturesque journey of love's struggle for survival amid a country's struggle to remain united."
In Blue Honor, four families converge to show the realities of Civil War America. The Conrads, a wealthy dairy family from Vermont, send their only son Michael to West Point, ensuring him a better life and lessening the quality of their daughter Emily's days. Further tragedy strikes when war breaks out between the States and the family now faces the possibility of Michael's loss. Emily presents the only assured thing left them for the future. From the start of the story, they are convinced she will one day marry the neighbor's son, Evan Howell, but he also has become and officer of the Federal Army. Threatened by her mother's routine attempts at control, Emily shies away. Runaway slave Hettie Benson, who previously arrived on the farm near death, replaces the role of Emily's cold mother. Things quiet down for a time, until the night of the barn fire. Then, Joseph Maynard of Frederick, Maryland enters the Conrads' lives. Toting a calf to safety, Joseph has offered the family his aid in their time of need. In thistense moment, he and Emily meet for the first time. Despite their common bonds, lying in both Evan and Michael, the chemistry between the pair is not well received. Another inferno is ignited, and not just Emily and Joseph's passions. Emily's mother Margaret finds nothing but fault in Joseph. Hettie swoops in to save the day, offering her help and advice to Emily in the repressed times of the Victorian Era.
Emily and Joseph's relationship strengthens.; However, the time comes when orders arrive and Joseph must leave to fulfill his duty. Courting disaster, they agree to write and continue their affair through the post. In the shadows, Emily's mother and a few of her comrades bond to see the affair ended. Now, Emily and Joseph must survive not only the war, but also treachery. |
